Character Analysis
Iago:
Arguably one of my favorite villains. He carries out his actions without remorse, is incredibly smart, and is a good example of a person who feels deeply betrayed. I mentioned this several times in the past, but Iago is the puppet master. He knows everything and knows what strings to pull and in which direction. Everything Iago pulls off goes according to plan. It's not often the villain wins the war, and it was quite satisfying to see really. I needed a book where the main character wasn't the perfect example of perseverance and perfectness. Humans aren't perfect.
Comment on someone's blog:
It's not often that you see someone like Desdemona. She was murdered by someone she really loved, for honestly no reason. Yet her last words weren't cursing Othello, they were words to protect him, out of her love. When a person is about to die, nothing really matters anymore. Desdemona could have said anything she wanted. Yet she chose to not blame Othello.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
12-14-10 Othello
Well first off, Othello is just a play about conspiracy and one puppet master creating a event. Iago. Because of soliloquies and aside comments, only the members of the audience really understand all the facts and see the big picture.
We say things like: "No you are wrong!" "You got it all wrong! You were tricked" "Don't do it! It is a bad idea!"
I believe information that the audience members know that other characters don't is called dramatic irony. Shakespeare did an excellent job using this technique, I can imagine audiences at The Globe yelling at the actors what would really happen. It really keeps the tension on edge!
Another literary technique that Shakespeare makes good use of is similes and metaphors. He commonly describes simple things using complex references. Although it makes the play sound elegant and look beautiful on paper, hearing it with an untrained ear is frustrating. I noticed that Shakespearean actors tend to speak quickly. It is hard enough to decipher meaning, adding speed does not help. Although from my experience with Shakespeare, once the play is understood, listening is all the more fun.
Comment on Harrison's Blog:
The evolution of ideas and concepts in a story really makes it special. It shows that characters change, and the author knew how to make those changes clear. I like the way you showed the handkerchief as a symbol of love and jealousy. Beginning, end. I could go on for a bit with those relations...
We say things like: "No you are wrong!" "You got it all wrong! You were tricked" "Don't do it! It is a bad idea!"
I believe information that the audience members know that other characters don't is called dramatic irony. Shakespeare did an excellent job using this technique, I can imagine audiences at The Globe yelling at the actors what would really happen. It really keeps the tension on edge!
Another literary technique that Shakespeare makes good use of is similes and metaphors. He commonly describes simple things using complex references. Although it makes the play sound elegant and look beautiful on paper, hearing it with an untrained ear is frustrating. I noticed that Shakespearean actors tend to speak quickly. It is hard enough to decipher meaning, adding speed does not help. Although from my experience with Shakespeare, once the play is understood, listening is all the more fun.
Comment on Harrison's Blog:
The evolution of ideas and concepts in a story really makes it special. It shows that characters change, and the author knew how to make those changes clear. I like the way you showed the handkerchief as a symbol of love and jealousy. Beginning, end. I could go on for a bit with those relations...
Monday, December 13, 2010
12-13-2010 Othello
"Oh, devil, devil! If that the earth could teem with woman's tears, Each drop she falls would prove a crocodile. Out of my sight! - 4.1 Line 250-253
This line directly follows Othello striking Desdemona. Analyzing this line, Othello is trying to say that Desdemona is a liar. This violent and vocal outburst also directly follows one of Othello's epileptic attacks. This line proves that Iago's plan is working effectively because Othello was angry enough to strike Desdemona! A few scenes back Othello would probably kill himself at the very idea!
Comment on Blake's blog:
Thinking for yourself that a character has changed in a play is inference. Hearing another character in the same play state that a character has changed is proof!
This line directly follows Othello striking Desdemona. Analyzing this line, Othello is trying to say that Desdemona is a liar. This violent and vocal outburst also directly follows one of Othello's epileptic attacks. This line proves that Iago's plan is working effectively because Othello was angry enough to strike Desdemona! A few scenes back Othello would probably kill himself at the very idea!
Comment on Blake's blog:
Thinking for yourself that a character has changed in a play is inference. Hearing another character in the same play state that a character has changed is proof!
12-13-10 Othello
Who would I cast for my version of Othello?
I really don't know that many actors so I am going to have to guess here:
Othello: Well, the only actor that I know of that would fit Othello's description would be Will Smith. It would be interesting to see him act out the emotional war that Othello is experiencing, and based on his past films, stirring up emotion in the audience is his specialty.
Iago: The dark character that just happens to have all the best lines. Who would I cast? Probably Johnny Depp. I loved Pirates of the Caribbean and I think that having Johnny add some emotion and comedy to the film would help relieve some of the emotional turmoil in this tragedy.
Desdemona: Err... Well I don't have an actor in mind... But I can list the qualities I would be looking for. Physically, looking in the play is going to be necessary. Someone that is willing to really put their heart into acting, and doesn't mind working with the other stars.
Emilia: Oooh... Again I don't really have anyone in direct mind right now. Frankly I don't know that many actors to begin with! I would cast someone who can act out the rebellious nature of Emilia, as well as convince me that she can act out the part of being Desdemona's close friend.
I really don't know that many actors so I am going to have to guess here:
Othello: Well, the only actor that I know of that would fit Othello's description would be Will Smith. It would be interesting to see him act out the emotional war that Othello is experiencing, and based on his past films, stirring up emotion in the audience is his specialty.
Iago: The dark character that just happens to have all the best lines. Who would I cast? Probably Johnny Depp. I loved Pirates of the Caribbean and I think that having Johnny add some emotion and comedy to the film would help relieve some of the emotional turmoil in this tragedy.
Desdemona: Err... Well I don't have an actor in mind... But I can list the qualities I would be looking for. Physically, looking in the play is going to be necessary. Someone that is willing to really put their heart into acting, and doesn't mind working with the other stars.
Emilia: Oooh... Again I don't really have anyone in direct mind right now. Frankly I don't know that many actors to begin with! I would cast someone who can act out the rebellious nature of Emilia, as well as convince me that she can act out the part of being Desdemona's close friend.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
12-08-10 Othello
Iago is the villain, but so far all my favorite quotes are from him!
Never thought that would happen...
Anyway, this scene was nuts. I could barely figure out the fine details, but I think I managed to get the main gist of things. The only thing I really needed to know was that the Turks were blown away by the storm and everyone is going to be ok.
Now, Iago and Roderigo.
Holy. Iago has the longest speeches I have ever seen. Must suck to act him out. No actually it would be awesome. Anyway, this section actually forced me to read the side notes to figure out everything. Here is what I got out of it:
1. Iago claims that Desdemona and Cassio are in love
2. He mentions "proof" of this a few times. Usually exaggerations.
3. He says that eventually Desdemona will tire of Othello and seek a younger more attractive fellow. Cassio.
4. Iago wants to take the chance to get some revenge on Cassio. He instructs Roderigo to try insulting Cassio to provoke some sort of outburst.
5.Using the outburst as leverage, Iago can shame Cassio and might get him demoted.
Anyway that is my take on what happened between Roderigo and Iago.
Comment on Harrison's Blog:
It's true. Iago is the puppet master and he is controlling everyone to the best of his ability. And yes, Iago is quite the loner. He may seem to have friends, but looking closely you can't really call them friendships. They are all one sided.
Never thought that would happen...
Anyway, this scene was nuts. I could barely figure out the fine details, but I think I managed to get the main gist of things. The only thing I really needed to know was that the Turks were blown away by the storm and everyone is going to be ok.
Now, Iago and Roderigo.
Holy. Iago has the longest speeches I have ever seen. Must suck to act him out. No actually it would be awesome. Anyway, this section actually forced me to read the side notes to figure out everything. Here is what I got out of it:
1. Iago claims that Desdemona and Cassio are in love
2. He mentions "proof" of this a few times. Usually exaggerations.
3. He says that eventually Desdemona will tire of Othello and seek a younger more attractive fellow. Cassio.
4. Iago wants to take the chance to get some revenge on Cassio. He instructs Roderigo to try insulting Cassio to provoke some sort of outburst.
5.Using the outburst as leverage, Iago can shame Cassio and might get him demoted.
Anyway that is my take on what happened between Roderigo and Iago.
Comment on Harrison's Blog:
It's true. Iago is the puppet master and he is controlling everyone to the best of his ability. And yes, Iago is quite the loner. He may seem to have friends, but looking closely you can't really call them friendships. They are all one sided.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
12-7-10 Epilepsy
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18171635
Revered in some cultures but persecuted by most others, epilepsy patients have, throughout history, been linked with the divine, demonic, and supernatural.
Reading this article and a few others gives me the impression that this is the biggest misconception. Revered by some and persecuted by others. Demonic, divine and supernatural. I remember reading the odyssey and learning that one of the daughters of the king of troy was epileptic. They thought she could tell the future.
Then again there is the demonic part of epilepsy. Could a character from Othello suffer from epilepsy and be viewed differently? Who knows.
On Cyprus:
Interesting how history can be alluded to in a play. The attacks in Othello mention the ottomans and turks too.
On Venice:
I remember learning somewhere that Vienna was a place of the arts and music during some time period... hmm.
On Moors:
Wow. Moor isn't a name that those groups gave themselves. It was given to them. More of a literal description.
On Turks:
I was learning about this in World History. Interesting to have more details and know this is relevant to what we are reading in class right now.
Revered in some cultures but persecuted by most others, epilepsy patients have, throughout history, been linked with the divine, demonic, and supernatural.
Reading this article and a few others gives me the impression that this is the biggest misconception. Revered by some and persecuted by others. Demonic, divine and supernatural. I remember reading the odyssey and learning that one of the daughters of the king of troy was epileptic. They thought she could tell the future.
Then again there is the demonic part of epilepsy. Could a character from Othello suffer from epilepsy and be viewed differently? Who knows.
On Cyprus:
Interesting how history can be alluded to in a play. The attacks in Othello mention the ottomans and turks too.
On Venice:
I remember learning somewhere that Vienna was a place of the arts and music during some time period... hmm.
On Moors:
Wow. Moor isn't a name that those groups gave themselves. It was given to them. More of a literal description.
On Turks:
I was learning about this in World History. Interesting to have more details and know this is relevant to what we are reading in class right now.
Monday, December 6, 2010
12-6-10 Othello
Well. I just saw for myself how hard it is to read Shakespeare. Again. Anyway after a few rereadings and careful studying of the notes, I have found my first modern day application of Othello. Frankly, it is a message that I completely agree with.
Why, there’s no remedy. 'Tis the curse of service.
Preferment goes by letter and affection,
And not by old gradation, where each second
Stood heir to th' first
Here is my translation of this amazing quote from Iago
Well there is no cure. It is the downside of being in service.
Promotions and preferences are based on friendships,
Not by seniority where the direct heir
is guaranteed a position.
What Iago is trying to say, is that your promotions are based on whether or not your superior likes you or not. Not based on how long you have been working.
I came to this conclusion by learning a little bit about Iago. He was denied a promotion, and instead it was given to someone who had not been working as long as he had. Iago claims to understand war well and knows he could do well as a higher rank. He says that Cassio has no experience and only has theoretical tactics learned from books and studying.
Why, there’s no remedy. 'Tis the curse of service.
Preferment goes by letter and affection,
And not by old gradation, where each second
Stood heir to th' first
Here is my translation of this amazing quote from Iago
Well there is no cure. It is the downside of being in service.
Promotions and preferences are based on friendships,
Not by seniority where the direct heir
is guaranteed a position.
What Iago is trying to say, is that your promotions are based on whether or not your superior likes you or not. Not based on how long you have been working.
I came to this conclusion by learning a little bit about Iago. He was denied a promotion, and instead it was given to someone who had not been working as long as he had. Iago claims to understand war well and knows he could do well as a higher rank. He says that Cassio has no experience and only has theoretical tactics learned from books and studying.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
12-1-10
“When my mama died I shut the top on that piano and I ain’t never opened it since. I was only playing it for her. When my daddy died seem like all her life went into that piano.”
Act Two, Scene 2
Page 70 -Josh is working on this one
In Act Two, Scene two of The Piano Lesson, we learn that Berniece refuses to play on the piano because of her fear of the supernatural and to an extent, the events of the past. In this scene, Avery has come to talk to Berniece about marriage again. We learn that Berniece might think about her relationship with Avery after he gains control of his church. We also learn of the reason why Berniece refuses to play on the piano anymore. “When my mama died I shut the top on that piano and I ain’t never opened it since. I was only playing it for her. When my daddy died seem like all her life went into that piano.”(Wilson 70). Berniece is saying here that she only played the piano for her mother, and she claims that when her father died, her mothers life went into the piano. In a later statement, Berniece claims to see spirits and claims that she does not “want to wake them spirits” (Wilson 70) by playing on the piano. She learned of the spirits from her mother, claiming to have seen “mama talking to them” (Wilson 70). Not playing on the piano is Berniece’s method of avoiding the past, and like her situation with Crawley, she isn’t ready to leave the past behind and move on yet.
Act Two, Scene 2
Page 70 -Josh is working on this one
In Act Two, Scene two of The Piano Lesson, we learn that Berniece refuses to play on the piano because of her fear of the supernatural and to an extent, the events of the past. In this scene, Avery has come to talk to Berniece about marriage again. We learn that Berniece might think about her relationship with Avery after he gains control of his church. We also learn of the reason why Berniece refuses to play on the piano anymore. “When my mama died I shut the top on that piano and I ain’t never opened it since. I was only playing it for her. When my daddy died seem like all her life went into that piano.”(Wilson 70). Berniece is saying here that she only played the piano for her mother, and she claims that when her father died, her mothers life went into the piano. In a later statement, Berniece claims to see spirits and claims that she does not “want to wake them spirits” (Wilson 70) by playing on the piano. She learned of the spirits from her mother, claiming to have seen “mama talking to them” (Wilson 70). Not playing on the piano is Berniece’s method of avoiding the past, and like her situation with Crawley, she isn’t ready to leave the past behind and move on yet.
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